Bookstagram Newbie Tag | 10 Questions for book lovers

What is Bookstagram? Well, it's a lot like BookTube but for Instagram. If you search the hashtag #bookstagram you'll find thousands of posts about books. This is a great way to find book suggestions or to find other book lovers to follow on Instagram. We thought it would be fun to start this tag to get to know everyone better. To find the posts on Instagram answering this question all you need to do is search the hashtag #thebookhop.

You can see my video of my answering these questions on IGTV here. I will also be posting my answers here for you to read. If you would like to participate in this tag, feel free to do so. Just make sure you use the hashtag #thebookhop so we can find your post and make sure you tag a friend!

Bookstagram Newbie Tag

1. Why do you love to read?
In 2019 I discovered that I suffer from anxiety. I worry about things I can't change to the point of making myself sick over it. Reading is an escape from that. I am also trying to cultivate a love for reading in my children and I want to lead that by example.


2. Do you have a favorite place to read?
 Not really. I read all over my house and like for my kids to see me reading. I get a bulk of my reading done at night in bed.

3. What book or series got you into reading?
I will admit that as a child I suffered from some kind of reading problem. It took me longer to learn how to read and because of that I hated reading for a long time. I didn't read for enjoyment until I was in my 20's. I don't really have a certain book or series that got me into reading. I just started to pick up books and read.


4. What kind of books do you like to read?
 I love all kinds of books and I could never just pick one. I enjoy a thriller, romance, Christian fiction, and fantasy.

5. Do you prefer paperback or hardcover? Why?
Definitely, hardcover because I like how they look on a shelf and I like the feel of them in my hands.

6. Do you read more than one book at a time?
 Not really, I like to have my full attention on one book. Sometimes I have a Bible study type book I am reading on top of my other reading I like to do.

7. What book or book series are you most excited to read this year?
I am so excited to read the Nevermoor book series with my kids and I can't wait to read the book Darling Rose Gold.

8. Do you reread books? Why or why not?
I'm on the fence about this. I have not reread any books but I wouldn't mind going back and rereading some I have read. I have a pile of Christmas books I read in December that I do plan to read again next December.


9. Do you have a monthly book budget?
Yes and no. I probably wouldn't spend more than $100 but I also wouldn't be upset if I did, especially if I got them on good deals. I plan to mix things up with buying books and borrowing books from the library. Full disclosure though, library books sometimes creep me out. I always seem to get a book that has a questionable mark on them. Is that poop, a booger, or a Cheeto fingerprint? Gives me the heebie-jeebies just writing about it.


10. What question(s) would you like to ask your favorite Bookstagrammers?
 How do you cut out time to read, how do you find books you want to read, and how do you store all your books?


I hope you have gotten to learn more about me from this and I can't wait to see your answers to these questions on Instagram!

P.S. If you are looking to find other book lovers on Instagram come follow Book Hop. Book Hop is a great way to find other accounts from follow loops and trains.  

 

 

Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2020

Today I am excited to share with you some of my most anticipated book releases for 2020. One of these books was on my TBR list I shared a few weeks ago. You can find that post here. I will have these books linked to Good Reads so you can read more about the book if you'd like. After you have a look at these books go check out Homework and Horseplay's list!

Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2020

 

 

1. Tweet Cute by Emma Lord
This book is about a girl named Pepper and a boy named Jack. Both of their families own restaurants and have an ongoing feud with each other on Twitter. Jack and Pepper also unknowingly have been chatting with one another on an anonymous app that Jack created. Their Twitter feud goes viral and the two are falling for each other over the chat app.
This book will be released on January 21st.

2. In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
Dannie just nailed her dream job and her boyfriend has proposed to her. She goes to bed that night so happy that her life is on track. When she wakes up the next morning she has a different ring on and is in bed with a different man. When she watches the news on the TV she discovers that it's not 2020 but 2025. The next day she wakes up and is back in 2020. Dannie tells herself it was just a dream and goes on living her life. This all changes when 4 1/2 years later she runs into the other man she woke up next to.
This book will be released March 10th

3. Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel
Rose believed she was ill for the first 18yrs of her life. She was in a wheelchair and believed she was allergic to everything. She was in and out of the hospital. The neighbors felt bad for her and held many fundraisers. Turns out that Rose's mother has lied to her for her entire life and she is healthy. After being in prison for 5yrs Rose's mother has no place to go and begs her to take her in, so she does.
This book releases March 17th

4. Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
A woman returns to a house that her dad made famous from a book he wrote. She goes to find out for herself if this house is really haunted.
This book releases July 7th

5. Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin
There isn't much information on this book as of yet. This is the 2nd book to Serpent & Dove.
This book releases September 1st.



These are my top 5 and I hope you found some new books to add to your to be read pile. I'm so happy you joined me here today and I hope you get some time to also check out Roxanne's list over at Homework and Horseplay. See you next time!

Read Aloud Books | 2020

This is the year for reading, not only for myself but also for the kids. I have put together a list of books I would like to read this year with my kids. Some of these books are classics and some aren't. I think I have a good mix and I'm excited to read these. I am going to link the books to the Good Reads website. If a book catches your interested you can click on it to read more. Joining me in posting their read-aloud books is Roxanne from Homework and Horseplay.

TBR Read Aloud Books For 2020

1. The Call of the Wild by Jack London 

2. Greenglass House by Kate Milford

3. Ghosts of Greenglass House by Kate Milford

4. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill

5. Nevermoor The Trials of Morrigan by Jessica Townsend

6. Nevermoor Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan by Jessica Townsend

7. Nevermoor Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

8. The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare

9. The Three Gold Doubloons by Edith Thacher Hurd

10. Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary

11. Doctor Dolittle by Ellen Miles

12. No Children, No Pets by Marion Holland

13. A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond

14. The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

15. The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

16. The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

17. Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard Atwater

18. Third Grade Detectives The Clue of the Left-Handed Envelope by George E. Stanley
(This book comes as one but has both stories so I am counting them as two books)

19. Third Grade Detectives The Puzzle of the Pretty Pink Handkerchief by George E. Stanley

20. Dolphin Adventure by Wayne Grover

21. Dolphin Treasure by  Wayne Grover

22. Once Upon a Time: The Way America Was by Eric Sloane

23. The Twits by Roald Dahl

24. Falling Up Shel Silverstein


There you have it, my 2020 list for read-aloud books. Thanks for joining me here today and don't forget to check out Homework and Horseplay's list on her blog.

January Morning Basket

Living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the winter means you'll enjoy lots of snow and plenty of cold weather. This is when we hunker down and get lots of learning done inside the house. This year I am changing things up for my kids and planning out science units. I am also adding in more read-aloud books. I'm so excited about our theme this month, snow! Make sure you are following me on Instagram so you can see all the activities. I plan to share the activities we did at the end of January or beginning of February on this blog.

Watch my video on IGTV (Instagram TV) or you can read below.

January Morning Basket:

The Good and The Beautiful History year 2

The Three Gold Doubloons by Edith Thacher Hurd.

The Story of Snow: The Science of Winter's Wonder by Jon Nelson, Mark Cassino

A Fox Found a Box by Ged Adamson

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Animals In Winter by Henrietta Bancroft & Richard G. Van Gelder

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

This month I plan to teach the kids about snow, hibernation, and how other animals adapt to the changing of seasons. I have some fun things planned that I know my kids will like, especially my younger 3.

What's in your morning basket for the month of January?

About Me

Hello and welcome to my little corner of the internet. My name is Amanda and I'm a homeschooling mom of 5. I thought I would update this section of my blog since it's been a while since I've done that.

All About Me

The first thing you should know about me is that I'm an imperfect person. I lose my temper, I yell, I even drop the "F-bomb" more than what I'd like to admit. I have this idea in my head of the type of woman I'd like to be and I'm a far cry from being that but each day I wake up with the intentions to be more like that ideal woman. Maybe one day I will get there. I don't want anyone coming to my blog or my social media accounts with the idea that I have it all together. I assure you I do not. I do what most moms do, wake up and be the best I can be on that given day. Because of my imperfections, I fully rely on God to get me through life and navigate through motherhood and marriage.

I'm a coffee addict and usually every morning on my Instagram story you will see me with a cup of coffee or a latte. My husband gifted me the greatest gift money can buy and that's my espresso machine. I also enjoy reading, crocheting, going for walks, Amazon, and being cozy. I love to laugh, spend time with my family, and enjoy the simple things in life.

All About My Family

As I mentioned above, I have 5 kids. I was a teen mom and life has taken us through so much as a family. We currently live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a beautiful and cozy log home. We also have a cabin that sits on 5 acres by a river that we love to stay when we get the time. Our family enjoys traveling and we wish we could do it more often. My husband loves motorcycles and spends most of the summer on his bike. My kids have all sorts of interests like legos, reading, makeup, art, and animals. All in all, we are a pretty typical family.

About My Blog

I started blogging as a way to share our homeschooling journey. This eventually turned into me sharing all kinds of things. You'll see me write about mom life, homeschooling, and books. I started an Instagram account so I could share my blog stuff. My Instagram has taken on a life of its own and now my blog is just an extension of that. I'm active on Instagram and you can find my account here.

I hope that by visiting my blog and social media accounts that you find encouragement, inspiration, and laughter. If you have any questions about anything you can contact me through email or send me a message on Instagram.
Email : joyfulwifelife@gmail.com

Thank you so much for taking some time to get to know me and my family. Thank you for supporting my blog.